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It's Wainwright over Kershaw, and Jeter leading off

John Perrotto, USA TODAY Sports
3:17 p.m. EDT July 14, 2014

American League starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (left) of the Seattle Mariners poses for a photo with National League starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (right) of the St. Louis Cardinals.(Photo: Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports)

MINNEAPOLIS - Mike Matheny picked his own guy and the St. Louis Cardinals manager wasn't apologizing.

Matheny tabbed Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright on Monday to start for the National League in Tuesday night's All-Star game at Minneapolis, a decision that was sure to stir some controversy, particularly after Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Clayton Kershaw just had a streak of 40 consecutive scoreless innings end last Thursday.

Wainwright is 12-4 with a 1.83 ERA in 19 starts. Kershaw has gone 11-2 with a 1.78 ERA in 14 starts.

"It was not an easy task, though it may look that way," Matheny said about choosing Wainwright. "There is a lot of talent in starting pitching in the National League right now but I'd don't think there is anyone more deserving than Adam for what he's done over a long, successful career and this year."Wainwright was understandably thrilled to be chosen.

"Aside from the ability to having the chance to win two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, this has to be one of the highlights of my career," Wainwright said. "It's one of the coolest things, to be able to say I'm starting an All-Star game and I feel incredibly fortunate to be in this position."

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell picked Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez to start for the American League. Hernandez is 11-2 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts.

"It's always fun to be at the All-Star Game and I'm proud to be the starting pitcher," Hernandez said.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who is retiring at the end of the season, will bat leadoff for the AL in his 15th All-Star Game. He is hitting. 272 with a .324 on-base percentage in 83 games.

"To be able to celebrate someone who is not only a champion but also set the bar with his class, and his ability … I think everybody who watches this game is going to remember Derek Jeter's last All-Star Game," Farrell said.

American League starting lineup

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees

Mike Trout, LF, Angels

Robinson Cano, 2B, Mariners

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers

Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays

Nelson Cruz, DH, Orioles

Adam Jones, CF, Orioles

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Athletics

Salvador Perez, C, RoyalsFelix Hernandez, P, Mariners

National League starting lineup

Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pirates

Yasiel Puig, RF, Dodgers

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

Giancarlo Stanton, LF, Marlins

Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Brewers

Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies

Jonathan Lucroy, C, Brewers

Carlos Gomez, LF, BrewersAdam Wainwright, P, Cardinals

GALLERY: MLB All-Star memories

2015: Mike Trout leads off the All-Star Game in Cincinnati with a home run to become the ninth player with a career cycle in the Midsummer Classic. Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

2001: Tony Gwynn, left, and Cal Ripken Jr., right, are honored during a break in the All-Star Game held at Safeco Field in Seattle. It was the final All-Star game of both players' Hall of Fame careers. In a classy gesture, shortstop Alex Rodriguez asked Ripken, who was playing third, to switch positions with him. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

1993: Philadelphia Phillies' John Kruk laughs after striking out in the third inning of the 64th All-Star game. Earlier in the at-bat, Randy Johnson threw a pitch over Kruk's head to give him a scare. Carlos Osorio, AP

1994: San Diego Padres All-Star Tony Gwynn leaps in the air after sliding home safely to score the winning run in the 10th inning of the All-Star Game at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium. Carlos Osorio, AP

2002: Minnesota Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, left, robs San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds of a home run during the 73rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Miller Park. Jeffrey Phillips, Associated Press

2002: National League All-Star Barry Bonds playfully picks up American League All-Star Torii Hunter after Hunter robbed Bonds of a home run in the first inning of the All-Star Game in Milwaukee. Ann Heisenfelt, Associated Press

1989: Batting leadoff, Royals slugger Bo Jackson crushed a monstrous home run to center field off Giants' Rick Reuschel in the first inning that measured 448 feet at Anaheim Stadium in Calif. Leonard Ignelzi, AP

1941: Ted Williams is greeted at home plate by teammate Joe DiMaggio (5) and coach Marv Shea after hitting a dramatic ninth-inning home run to give the American League a 7-5 victory over the National League in the All-Star Game at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. Associated Press

1999: Moments after Ted Williams threw out an emotional first pitch at Fenway Park in Boston, Red Sox's Pedro Martinez dominated the game's best hitters. He struck out the first five batters he faced -- Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa in the first and Mark McGwire and Jeff Bagwell in the second. ... Steve Senne, AP